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If you’re looking to spend a long weekend soaking up laid-back beach vibes, sunning yourself on pristine, white sand beaches, or exploring the wineries, then Margaret River has it.
We spent three days in Margaret River on a long Australia Day weekend getaway, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
Known for its scenic landscapes, beachfront resorts, natural wonders and exceptional vineyards, 3 days is the minimum amount of time you want to spend here, making a weekend getaway to Margaret River the perfect choice.
But if you’re not sure what things to do or where to stay, here is how to spend 3 days on a long weekend in this region.
Where To Stay For A Weekend Getaway
We stayed at a house in Yallingup, which is 30 minutes drive north of Margaret River town, but is within the Margaret River region. Another popular town to base yourself in is Dunsborough, which is a 10-minute drive from Yallingup.
Yallingup has awesome beaches, and is home of the famous Aussie surfing champ, Taj Burrows!
Of course you can stay in the town of Margaret River, which is the perfect base if your plan is to visit wineries, but we personally prefer to stay by the ocean, which is why we chose Yallingup. It’s also slightly cheaper.
Weekend Getaway To Margaret River Itinerary
Now you know where to base yourself, here’s how we would spend 3 days in Margaret River on a long weekend.
Friday: Get Orientated
The first thing we do when we arrive in a new destination is get orientated. Check into your accommodation, go shopping for groceries and supplies.
Shepherds pie cooked in the oven while the girls swim in the pool and enjoy playing outside.
Depending on when you’re traveling and when you arrive, you may only have half a day on the Friday to explore.
If you arrive in the morning, check out our complete guide on things to do in Margaret River to give you some more ideas for what to do.
Stop 1: Sunset at Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
If you love lighthouses and incredible ocean scenery, Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse, in the small seaside village of Augusta, is the perfect sunset viewpoint in the Margaret River region.
You can walk around the lighthouse and listen to an audio guide, or climb the steps up the 39-metre lighthouse for some beautiful views over the Indian and Southern Ocean.
This is the most south-westerly point of Australia where the two meet and the guide will point out the currents of the two ocean’s waves crashing together. It is very windy here.
June to September is also whale season, so you might be able to do some whale watching from the shore.
There is an easy walk trail to the lighthouse and it makes for the ultimate serene escape to end your day..
Saturday: Beer Tasting & Outdoor Vineyard Concert
After breakfast, a bit of yoga on the deck in the fresh air with the birds and the wind whistling through the trees, it’s time to go out and explore this region and all it’s famous for.
Stop 1: Explore the Margaret River caves
As well as being famous for wine and beaches, this region also has a unique underground cave system.
The limestone cave network extends over 150 highly decorated limestone caves below the Leeuwin Naturaliste Ridge.
The most famous is Mammoth Cave, but we visited Lake Cave and Jewel Cave. You can do cave tours or go ‘at your own pace’ self-guided tours.
Lake Cave is unique in that it has a ‘Suspended Table’ formation, which weighs several tonnes and seems to defy gravity as it hovers above the clear lake water.
Jewel Cave is the largest show cave in Western Australia.
Stop 2: Lunch at Bush Shack Brewery
Bush Shack Brewery is the place to go for a delicious lunch and to sample some craft beers.
I loved Bushwhack Brewery, it was so unlike the typical wineries and breweries in this region, which are usually big, grandiose and possibly a little pretentious.
This was just home grown stuff, down the end of a dirt track, in the bushes, and set up inside someone’s brick house.
I felt it was the best beer we’d had of the breweries in Margs, Craig wasn’t so sure. Live music had started just before we left, but if you hang around in the afternoon then you might get to experience some live bands.
We had a great nachos to share and the kids played in the little playground.
The pick was the ginger beer and the strawberry beer. The chilli beer grew on me half way through, but still wasn’t as good as Matsos or Bridge Road Brewery – our Aussie faves!
Stop 3: Evening concert at the Leeuwin Estate
We raced home for showers and drove down to Margs for a quick drink and at the Settlers Tavern, grabbed a picnic at the supermarket of cheese, meats, olives, and dips and then headed to Leeuwin Estate for the Bernard Fanning concert!!!
If you’re unfamiliar with Bernard, he was the lead singer of Powderfinger, one of Australia’s best and biggest bands.
They were one of the first concerts I ever saw at the Metro in Sydney when I was 19.
The Leeuwin Estate has been hosting concerts on its lawn since the mid-80s, and has concerts throughout the year. Check out the what’s on calendar to see who’s performing when you visit.
I was DD, but enjoyed a glass of Leeuwin Estate shiraz, which was orgasmic good.
I regret that I volunteered to drive. The rest of the crew enjoyed having a few bottles.
Sunday: Wine Tasting and Beaches
On the last day, you will want to make a stop by one of the vineyards – it’s Margaret River, you have to! But first…
Stop 1: Busselton Jetty and Underwater Observatory
There are only six underwater observatories in the world, and one of them is at the Busselton Jetty.
Take the train to the end of the jetty to find the observatory located 8 metres below the water.
The observatory gives you a glimpse into life under the Indian Ocean, showing a colourful artificial reef, where more than 300 species of marine life call home.
Stop 2: Wine tasting at Happs Winery
We all walked 5 minutes down the road to Happs Winery after for some wine tasting. I can’t tell you how much my soul was zinging to be walking to a fun adventure with a group of friends laughing and talking.
It ended up being our favourite winery of the Margaret River region and Craig and I walked out with six bottles – our biggest stash yet – and the others with another 8 bottles!
Happs Winery is known for its preservative-free wine, and are one of the first in Australia to do this.
They also have an onsite ceramic studio, where you can do workshops and classes, or just watch the artists at work.
Stop 3: Swim at Smiths Beach
We headed to Smiths Beach after for a refreshing dip in the ocean. One good thing about the south west of Western Australia waters, the chill factor is good for a hangover.
It’s located next to Yallingup, and is an expansive flat, white-sand beach with more of that beautiful blue water every Margaret River beach has.
It seemed one of the more popular beaches in the region, though still a good spot for tranquility. We saw a few boogie boarders getting amongst the scene.
Stop 4: Margaret River Chocolate Factory
If you have kids, be warned – there’s a tasting bowl of small white and dark chocolate buttons that you can help yourself to!
Your three-year-old will climb up to get them and drop trails of them as evidence around the factory floor.
I was very happy to drag the girls out of there, as the Margaret River Chocolate Factory was a little too commercialised for me, and I’m just not that into chocolate, but they do make award-winning luxury chocolates and a lot of people go and love it.
Stop 5: Sunset from Cape Naturaliste
The perfect setting for the end of your weekend to Margaret River is a loop walk around Cape Naturaliste on your last evening.
Cape Naturaliste is a lighthouse on the headland of Naturaliste, at the end of the Margaret River mouth.
The trail to the headland is along a 3.6 kilometre Bunker Bay loop walk, which takes you around the headland and gives you sweeping views from the top of the cliffs. It’s very easy and flat, the perfect evening stroll.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a special occasion, a weekend with the kids, or just want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a weekend, Margaret River offers relaxation and rejuvenation.
We so love ya Margaret River, it’s one of our fav destinations in Australia – we will be back!
More Margaret River and Western Australia Tips
Need more inspiration for visiting Margaret River and Western Australia? Check out these other guides…
- Best Things to Do in Margaret River with Kids
- Best Beaches in Margaret River
- Things To Do In Bunbury, WA
- Things to Do in Western Australia
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